watebbury



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

o. A. WATERBURY, or Nnw YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR DAMPING PAPER.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 20,111, dated April 27, 1858.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, C. A. WATERBURY, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Method of Copying Written Letters and other Documents, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, in which- Figure 1, is a perspective view, Fig. 2, a cross vertical section.

The nature of my invention consists in part, of keeping copying tablets-used for the purpose of copying letters-constantly immersed in water, thereby avoiding the wetting of the leaves of the copy book, and also, by means of such immersed tablets, two, four, or more, letters with duplicates, or both sides of a written sheet, can be copied at the same time, and by the use of these self wetting tablets great rapidity in copying is obtained With a good article of ordinary writing fluid ink-without the use of copy ink prepared for the purpose an even, plain and distinct copy, free from blots, or running of the ink is obtained.

In the accompanying drawings, a, repre sents the base block, b, the casing, c, the swells in the casing, cl, the sponge, e, the tablets, and f, the cover.

The tablets can be made of either metal, wood, or other substance. I prefer a light, tough, and soft porous wood, such as bass wood. They should be made of just sufricient thickness not to split when in use and in dimensions of the size of the copy book in which they are intended to be used. The case which contains the tablets can be made of any material which will hold water. I prefer them made of zinc, as they are not liable to rust. A soft and pliable sponge is preferable to remove the surplus water from the surface of the boards. It should be kept in the case and squeezed out before using. These tablets so thoroughly dampen the leaves that they may be used without the ordinary press, by placing the book between two boards and standing or sitting thereon.

To use my self wetting and double copying tablets and case, to the best ad vantage, the case should be kept filled with water and the tablets and sponge kepttherein.

To copy one letter, put it upon a sheet of oil paper and place them under the leaf of the copy book, then squeeze the sponge of water and rub it over the surface of the tablet till the sur-plus water is removed, then place the tablet upon the leaf and place a sheet of oil paper over it to keep the book dry, shut the book and press it for about ten seconds, and upon taking it out a plain, even, and distinct copy will be found.

To copy two letters, turn a leaf of the copy book to the left hand side, and place a letter with a sheet of oil paper under it, then turn another leaf of the copy book to the right hand side, and place a sheet of oil paper and the second letter thereunder, then place a tablet between the two lea-ves, then close and press the book.

To copy four letters, turn over the two leaves and tablet last above mentioned, and repeat the operation. In the same manner increase the number copied by placing the third or more tablets in the book as is desirable.

Duplicate copies of a written sheet can be taken, by placing two leaves of the copy book over each letter, as the tablets contain sufficient dampness to wet through an eXtra sheet, if left a few moments longer in the letter press. To prevent the wet leaves from coming in contact, place a sheet of writing paper between them.l

I am aware that tablets are in use made of wood and metal for copying letters, which are dampened by means of a brush or substitute, and also by dampening the leaves of the book with a brush or substitute before the letters are put therein. I disclaim the use of any such process, but

That I do claim as of my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The application of one, or more, tablets, when kept in a wet state, for the purpose of taking copies of written letters, and other documents, substantially as described in the specification hereto annexed.

2. I claim the use of wood or other substances, when used as copying tablets, for the purposes in manner and form, substantially as aforesaid.

3. I claim the use of the case or substitute, which contains the water and tablets, when used in connection, for the purposes substantially as aforesaid.

C. A. VVATERBURY.

Witnesses:

WM. H. BISHOP, ISAAC PoMERoY. 

